Following the impact of a single femtosecond light pulse on nickel nanostripes, material deformations—or “nanobumps”—are created. We have studied the dependence of these nanobumps on the length of ... [more ▼]

Following the impact of a single femtosecond light pulse on nickel nanostripes, material deformations—or “nanobumps”—are created. We have studied the dependence of these nanobumps on the length of nanostripes and verified the link with plasmons. More specifically, local electric currents can melt the nanostructures in the hotspots, where hydrodynamic processes give rise to nanobumps. This process is further confirmed by independently simulating local magnetic fields, since these are produced by the same local electric currents. [less ▲]

Plasmonic hotspots are regions on the surface of metal nanostructures where light causes very strong oscillation of the electrons. Because electron oscillations constitute an electric current and because ... [more ▼]

Plasmonic hotspots are regions on the surface of metal nanostructures where light causes very strong oscillation of the electrons. Because electron oscillations constitute an electric current and because electric currents heat up the material the same way an electric stove heats up in the kitchen, the plasmonic hotspots are extremely hot. So hot that they can melt the gold in a spot much smaller than the wavelength of light. We were successfully able to demonstrate that this tiny little pool of molten gold can give rise to the smallest nanojets ever observed. [less ▲]